The SHTM celebrated its 45th anniversary by hosting a gala dinner at Hotel ICON, its one-of-a-kind teaching and research hotel, on 30 May 2024. Nearly 300 guests from around the world attended this event to celebrate 45 years of educational excellence at the SHTM.
In her welcome address, Dr Miranda Lou, Executive Vice President of PolyU stated that 2024 represents a special milestone for the SHTM, observing that the University and the
School are not celebrating the mere passage of time, but the vision and scale of achievement that have led to the creation of a world-leading centre for education and research excellence that continues to set new standards for advancing knowledge and serving the industry. Dr Lou expressed full confidence in the SHTM's ability to reach even greater heights of global excellence and continue to lead development in the field in the years to come.
Since its humble beginnings in 1979 as a
diploma-conferring department, the SHTM has risen to the forefront of hospitality and tourism education not only in Asia but worldwide. Living by its motto of "Leading Hospitality and Tourism", the SHTM has set itself apart from other educational institutions in the field by consistently remaining in the upper echelons of international rankings.
In its pursuit of excellence, the SHTM strongly emphasises innovative research and encourages a robust research culture amongst its
international faculty of more than 90 academics from 20 countries and regions worldwide. In the current academic year, more than 1,450 students from around the world are enrolled in the School's programmes, which range from the undergraduate to doctoral levels.
The upscale Hotel ICON, which opened in 2011, is at the core of the SHTM's innovative approach to education and research. This unique, purpose-built and purpose-driven hotel not only supports the School in nurturing a new
generation of passionate, pioneering professionals who will become leaders in hospitality and tourism, but also enables SHTM faculty members to conduct in-depth research to advance this global industry.
Along with providing world-class facilities for learning and research, the School has relentlessly expanded its innovative programme offerings. In 2023, the SHTM became a two-time recipient of the ISTTE Institutional Achievement Award, exactly two decades after first receiving this
recognition from the International Society of Travel and Tourism Educators in 2003.
These impressive results are due to the very hard work of our SHTM and Hotel ICON colleagues. They would not have been possible without support and guidance from PolyU, members of the School International Advisory Board, the School Advisory Committee, the industry and SHTM alumni. As the School bids farewell to its first 45 years, it sets its sights on achieving further global excellence in the field
over the next decades.
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